The Golden Bay Grand Stand Community Trust (The Trust) is disappointed that the Tasman Dictrict Council (Council) report to the full council meeting this Thursday morning (Report RCN17-11-02) does not support the Trust’s proposal to fund restoration and ongoing maintenance of the grandstand. The Trust is also surprised by the emphasis given in the Council report to amenity issues, when the previous Council resolution requested that heritage values be considered over amenity values. The Trust will seek to persuade Council this Thursday that retention and restoration is the best option.

Reference in the Council report to potential delays in the use of the new recreation facility at the same grounds continue to distract from heritage and amenity issues. The new facility can open with the grandstand where it is, and with the winter sports parking requirements not relevant for the summer season the facility could be fully used immediately with the Certificate of Public Use (CPU) amended to reflect actual conditions. The important indoor/outdoor flow appeal of the new function room is likely to be improved with an historic building as part of the outdoor attractiveness, rather than a sizzling black asphalt carpark. This opportunity to embrace the grandstand where it is and trial the usability of the showgrounds should be taken, and at the very least trialled for a season or two.

In dollar terms retention in situ of the grandstand is noted in the report as the cheapest option for ratepayers, however the report recommends demolition of the grandstand, which will cost ratepayers at least $30,000 more. It is unclear whether this figure includes the cost of archaeological documentation for the duration of the demolition. Further monetary savings are on offer if the grandstand remains in situ as the Trust will be responsible for future costs, including strengthening and maintenance to the benefit of all the ratepayers of Tasman District. The building would be available for use free of charge to anyone. Most importantly to the Golden Bay community an important community-funded and community-built heritage building would be retained. The Grandstand would be back in use very quickly with the replacement of the stairs. Funding for reinstatement of the stairs has already been secured by the Trust, thanks to a donation from Pub Charity.

The Trust has repeatedly attempted to engage with council staff regarding necessary and appropriate agreements, and has proposed a business-like approach to negotiating the costs of the demolition of the squash court. The Trust is frustrated by the apparent “take it or leave it” approach on the part of the Council. An example of this in the deed proposed by the Council is the open-ended exposure of the trust to whatever demolition costs the council cares to add and pass on, and payment required with no guarantee of the grandstand’s retention.

Attached:
TDC grandstand deed agreement
Golden Bay Grand Stand Community Trust proposal (appendices available on request or in TDC full council meeting agenda on TDC website
Golden Bay Grand Stand Community Trust draft MoU - offered to TDC.
TDC_grandstand_deed_12_October_2017.pdf
Grand_Stand_Trust_Proposal_to_TDC_26_October_2017_V1.pdf
Draft_MoU_for_discussion__TDC_and_Grand_Stand_Trust_Inc__22_September_2017.docx

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